Investigators took Vivian Brown, 68, into custody after an employee at Volusia Gold and Diamond identified her as the thief.

"I was trying to make it make sense, and I really haven't been able to myself," said Brown. "No I am not (a criminal) but I was treated like one. Like a common criminal."

Brown was booked into the Volusia County Jail on grand theft charges.

After the arrest, the employee said she made a mistake about accusing Brown.

Police officers have made a request to the State Attorney's Office to have the charges dropped.

Store owner Gus Osta is horrified about what happened to his regular customer but explained how he thinks it happened.

Surveillance video shows an employee waiting on two women in the store Saturday. One of the two swapped a cheap ring for an expensive diamond, but that one identified herself as Vivian Brown, according to police.

"Two ladies came in, they said 'My name is Vivian Brown.' They made a payment on her layaway," said Osta.

They paid $40 down on Brown's layaway before making the ring switch so when the clerk realized the ring was gone, she called police and named Brown, identifying her in a photo line-up.

Brown said she doesn't know who would have used her name, but said she always knew she hadn't done anything wrong.

"I've never stolen anything in my life. Never that I can remember," said Brown.

Osta is offering a reward to catch the true thieves, who he belatedly found out also stole gold bracelets and he wants to make it right with Brown.

"(I want to give) $1,000 as a gift to Vivian because she's a sweet kid," said Osta.